[Let’s Talk] Your thoughts on Splatoon
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 14 Comments
Let’s Talk #8: Your thoughts on Splatoon
Splatoon’s release date is fast approaching. Actually, two weeks from today, the game will finally be out on store shelves. How exciting is that?!
Splatoon is a pretty big deal. It’s a new IP from Nintendo, and it’s something different from the Big N. Nintendo itself seems to be promoting it fairly heavy with various commercials in all regions, a dedicated Direct (though it’s true they do that for most games), and even a special demo.
Since we’re so close to Splatoon’s launch, I thought it could be nice to hold a discussion about the game. How do you feel about Splatoon? Has your opinion changed since the original reveal at E3? What’d you think of the Splatoon Global Testfire? Sound off in the comments below!
Just a few quick thoughts from me since I’ve been feeling sick the past couple of days!
I feel like this isn’t the popular opinion, but I’m actually looking forward to playing the single-player campaign more than the multiplayer modes. Don’t get me wrong: I’ll definitely be trying out the various multiplayer offerings. However, I’ve always been more of a lone gamer. That’s just the way I tend to enjoy games!
Everything we’ve heard about Splatoon’s single-player thus far sounds very interesting. I love hearing that it has a lot of variety, and some people have even compared it to Super Mario Galaxy in a way – which is certainly a good thing.
Obviously multiplayer is going to be what carries Splatoon forward. I managed to get in a few rounds last week, and I think what I played managed to sell me on those multiplayer aspects more. I just need more time with the game.
Highlights from last week’s topic: Do you care about amiibo?
Diortem
I care about amiibo! I’m sick of hearing people complain about them. They’re not DLC- they’re figurines. If you don’t want it for your shelf, DON’T BUY IT. I love the way a lot of them look and I think the in-game bonuses are fantastic and not even CLOSE to DLC. I have a nice collection of the ones I love the most and I have the Splatoon 3-pack pre-ordered.
By the way- just spent the hour playing the Splatoon demo- WOW! They hype is VERY real. That was amazingly fun.
Garrett Austin Boyle
I have 18 on my shelf with seven preordered. I think I kind of like them.
??
In a strange ironic twist, I have only one amiibo and no real motivation to complete a collection, despite being a completionist (in collections as well as games) to a debilitating point xD
I think several things turned me off from it, namely the modeled appearance versus the actual thing. Of course it was too much to actually assume every factory model one would appear in such a lovely way. The other thing was the one-file-at-a-time functionality makes it a little limiting…
Seeing other comments, I am more than happy to let others who truly enjoy Amiibos buy them (at non scalped prices none the less) rather than buying them and trying to convince myself that I need or want them.
ArsonDoctor
I do, though it didn’t really start until I bought a Peach amiibo for my niece. At first, I decided I was only going to get amiibo for my mains in Smash Bros., Captain Falcon and Shulk, and Sonic since I grew up playing his games, but then my nieces got interested, and then a Pikachu amiibo happened, and then a Zelda, and then Samus too. I’m only really interested in the Smash Bros. line as of right now, but of course that could change in the future. I want a Mewtwo amiibo really, REALLY bad though.
I got the Captain Falcon and Shulk ones BTW, my Gamestop is awesome!
Locky Mavo
I’d love to see Nintendo make a Amiibo game, like Disney Infinity and Skylanders,
Amiibo-land maybe? (seeing as Nintendoland is taken). Give Amiibos more of a use, instead of just unlocking costumes, weapons, abilities and Smash AI saves. Maybe even have it so they can be added into the Nintendo version of Disney Infinity, Skylanders and Lego Dimensions, that’d be awesome!
Maybe something will be announced at E3?
Do you have any further questions about Splatoon?
Posted on 9 years ago by Austin(@NE_Austin) in Site updates, Wii U | 10 Comments
Hello. Everyone. (say this like Iwata does in the Nintendo Directs)
Nintendo was very kind to send us a pre-release build of Splatoon for review, and Brian and I wanted to try and get some video content about the game up before its release in a couple weeks. We were going to do a simple Q&A about the game, but since GameXplain already covered a ton of the more common desired information (as comprehensively and eloquently as they always do), we thought we’d ask first: is there anything more detailed you want to ask about the game? How mechanics interplay? How it feels to only have two maps in rotation? Something very specific about online play or whatever?
If you’ve got anything you want to ask, post a comment below, send us an email with the subject “Splatoon Question”, or tweet at us with the tweet beginning with “Splatoon Q:”.
Thanks everyone! We’ll look at the questions soon and decide if there’s reason enough for our own Splatoon Q&A video. Either way, we’ll have a video review when the embargo lifts and more video content before launch as well.
~Austin
Nintendo holding business presentation at E3 2015 – games through the holiday, 2016 teases
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 25 Comments
Nintendo has started sending out invitations for a “business presentation” that will be held at this year’s E3. The company plans on discussing what lies ahead through Holiday 2015 along with “a sneak preview of what’s coming in 2016”.
Nintendo’s business presentation will take place on June 16 between 9 AM and 10 AM PT. It’ll be happening during the same time as the Nintendo Digital Event, for what it’s worth.
NOA says Marth, Meta Knight, Ike, other amiibo returning to stores “over the next few days”
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 7 Comments
Nintendo of America just shared another update about the status of amiibo on its Facebook page.
According to the message, a number of amiibo are returning to stores “over the next few days”. These figures include Marth, Meta Knight, and Ike. Keep in mind that there will be “limited quantities”.
Nintendo’s full message states:
Heads up! Marth and a few other amiibo like Meta Knight and Ike will be hitting shelves in limited quantities over the next few days.
For more information on timing and availability, be sure to visit your local retail stores or check out their websites.
April 2015 NPD: Wii U sold approximately 43,000 units
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 69 Comments
Nintendo did not distribute a response to the April 2015 NPD data yesterday, though the company did share a few figures with GamesBeat. The site was told that, though the first four months of the year, Wii U hardware sales are up 15 percent compared to the same period in 2014.
Unfortunately, that still doesn’t tell us much. But thanks to a chart shared by creamsugar – a person known for leaking NPD data – it’s looking like Wii U sold approximately 43,000 units in the U.S. last month.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the chart pictured above (note: Wii U takes up the position of 10.60 percent share):
Xbox One = 187,000 units
PS4 = 174,730 units
Wii U = 42,890 units
Splatoon Global Testfire returning on May 23/May 24
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 27 Comments
Nintendo is bringing back the Splatoon Global Testfire demo for one more round, the company has announced.
You’ll be able to get in one more round on Sunday, May 24 at 00.00 CEST. That translates to the following times:
3 PM – 4 PM PT (Saturday)
6 PM – 7 PM ET (Saturday)
11 PM – 12 AM in the UK (Saturday into Sunday)
8 AM – 9 AM in Australia (Sunday)
Once again, those in Europe who download the demo can claim a 10 percent discount on Splatoon’s eShop version when the game launches on May 29. It’ll drop the price to €35.99 / £31.49 (regularly €39.99 / £34.99).
Source: Nintendo PR
New Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga’s Ambition games heading to 3DS
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments
Koei Tecmo is bringing two more games to the 3DS. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2 as well as Nobunaga’s Ambition DS are planned for the platform. Both games require some explanation.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2, despite the name, is a remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms III – a game from the PC/Mega Drive/Super NES era. It features new scenarios, 100 new military commanders, and an editor that allows players to edit commanders and cities.
Nobunaga’s Ambition DS is a remake of the eighth title in the series, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Tales of the Storms. It’ll come with two new scenarios, 100 additional commanders, an easier-to-play interface, and eight more save slots. Making matters more confusing, the 3DS version will be called “Nobunaga’s Ambition 2”.
Koei Tecmo is bringing Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2 and Nobunaga’s Ambition 2 to Japan on August 6. A Premium Box for Nobunaga’s Ambition 2 features the game, a soundtrack CD (26 tracks,) original micro-fiber cloth pouch, and special stickers for 6,800 yen plus tax. There’s also a Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2 Premium Box planned, which includes the soundtrack CD, micro-fiber pouch, and a 30th anniversary sticker set. Consumers can purchase a twin pack containing both games for 8,800 yen, and also includes a pack of 12 poster cards for Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2.
April 2015 NPD: tidbits about Wii U and 3DS sales, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS, News, Wii U | 3 Comments
Nintendo hasn’t shared any specific figures about its hardware or games for the month of April in the United States, but GamesBeat was able to obtain a few tidbits from the company.
According to the site’s report:
Through the first four months of 2014, the 3DS’s sales have increased by 65 percent compared to the same four-month period in 2014. For the Wii U, it is up 15 percent in the first four months of 2015 compared to that period in 2014.
GamesBeat also heard from Nintendo that Xenoblade Chronicles 3D was the fifth best-selling game in the U.S. last month if you do not combine sales for platforms.
More: NPD, sales, top, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
April 2015 NPD: top 10 best-selling games in the U.S.
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 12 Comments
NPD Group has released a listing of the top ten best-selling games in the U.S. for the month of April 2015. The results can be found below.
1. Mortal Kombat X (PS4, Xbox One)
2. Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, Xbox One, PC, 360, PS3)
3. Battlefield: Hardline (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)
4. MLB 15: The Show (PS4, PS3)
5. Minecraft (360, PS3, Xbox One, PS4)
6. NBA 2K15 (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)
7. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)
8. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (PS4, Xbox One, 360, PS3)
9. Super Smash Bros. (3DS, Wii U)
10. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection (PS4, Xbox One)
Stretchmo out now in North America as well
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 3 Comments
Surprise! Puzzle game Stretchmo – otherwise known as Fullblox in Europe and Pushmo: Hippa Land in Japan – has arrived on the North American 3DS eShop.
Stretchmo is free to download, though players can purchase DLC for new content and features.
Here’s a breakdown of the pricing structure:
– Mallo’s Playtime Plaza ($4.99): 100 progressively challenging levels that introduce the basics of the game.
– Poppy’s Sculpture Square ($2.99): 50 puzzle levels shaped like animals and objects.
– Corin’s Fortress of Fun ($2.99): 50 levels featuring new gizmo obstacles and enemies.
– Papa Blox’s NES Expo ($2.99): A treat for retro fans that features 50 levels based on classic NES characters.
Additionally, the following attraction pack bundles are available:
– Bundle featuring all four attractions ($9.99).
– Bundle containing “Poppy’s Sculpture Square,” “Corin’s Fortress of Fun” and “Papa Blox’s NES Expo” after “Mallo’s Playtime Plaza” has already been purchased ($6.99).
– Bundle of the remaining three attractions after purchasing either “Poppy’s Sculpture Square,” “Corin’s Fortress of Fun” or “Papa Blox’s NES Expo” ($8.99).
As for the game itself, here’s a brief overview:
In addition to pushing and pulling colorful blocks, the active verb in Stretchmo is right there in the game’s name: stretching. Players make their way through multiple puzzling levels by moving around blocks to reach the goal – even stretching certain blocks to extend them from every side. Players can even stretch the limits of their own imaginations and create levels in Stretchmo Studio, save them and share via a QR Code with friends and family members who also own the game! Stretchmo Studio is unlocked by purchasing any attraction pass. Additionally, different features are unlocked as players complete more levels throughout the attractions.
Source: Nintendo PR
